Holy Cluster(https://holycluster.iarc.orgis a new and dynamic tool for radio amateurs who want to track DX spots in real time and gain an overview of what is happening on the world bands. This project, developed by a group of radio amateurs with the support of Israeli Association of Radio Communication (IARC), brings a modern perspective to traditional DX cluster systems and combines map visualizations, flexible filtering, and advanced features that greatly enhance user experience.
What is a DX cluster and why is Holy Cluster different
First of all, it is necessary to understand what is DX cluster. It is a network to which radio amateurs around the world send so-called spots – that is, short messages about which DX station they heard or established contact with, including frequency, mode, and call sign. These spots are then disseminated in real time among users who can track them, for example via telnet, web interface, or application.
Tradičné DX clustere zväčša používajú textové výpisy spotov, ktoré môžu Byť pre niektorých rádioamatérov strohé a ťažko prehľadné, najmä počas vysokého zaťaženia (napríklad počas DX expedícií alebo contestov).Holy Cluster approaches the issue visually and interactively, which gives it a strong advantage in clarity and ease of use - not only for DXers but also for those interested in radio conditions on the bands.
Main features of Holy Cluster
🌍 Interactive map of world spots
One of the most prominent features of Holy Cluster is its map mode, which displays individual spots as icons on the world. Each spot contains:
DX station call sign,
frequency,
mode (e.g. CW, SSB, FT8),
time of spot addition.
Visual representation allows for immediate perception of where the activity is currently located, not only as a text listing but as a geographical context – which is especially useful for tracking DX expeditions across bands.
🌈 Color coding and 'band bar'
Holy Cluster uses color coding of bands, so you can see at a glance which bands are the most active. This 'band bar' interface helps quickly identify open bands and directions of DX activity, čo sa hodí najmä počas contestov alebo pri sledovaní zriedkavých entít.
🔎 Flexible filtering and alerts
Another strong point is advanced filtering:
according to the band (e.g. 20 m, 40 m, 80 m...),
mode (CW, SSB, digital modes),
continent,
callsign, prefix or suffix,
country DXCC.
This flexible system allows you to narrow down the selection to the spots that really interest you and eliminate unnecessary information. In addition, you can set up alerts – for example, for a specific DXCC entity, so the system will alert you when a rare station appears.
🌗 Dark Mode and user customizability
For more comfortable use in different lighting conditions, there is dark mode (Dark Mode). The web application is responsive and adapted for use on desktops and mobile devices.
📊 Spot table and other visualizations
The classic spot table remains available, but now it is interactive and sortable – by clicking on the column header, you can view spots by time, DXCC, frequency, or other parameters. Each spot is linked to a map, so clicking on a row automatically highlights the position on the map.
📡 CAT Control – controlling the radio from the cluster
One of the newest and most interesting features is CAT Server, which connects Holy Cluster to your transceiver via OmniRig and WebSockets. After setup, you can automatically tune your station to the frequency by clicking on a spot in Holy Cluster to the given frequency and mode – which dramatically speeds up and simplifies navigation through bands during a DX chase.
Why amateur radio operators use Holy Cluster
Holy Cluster differs from traditional clusters by several key features that are appreciated by the community:
Visual overview of the DX situation – the map and color band display provide better orientation than long tables of text.
Quick interactivity – the ability to filter, sort, and instantly switch between the map and table makes it easier to follow live activities.
Alert system – you will never miss a rare entity or DX expedition when it is relevant to you. Ham Shack Reviews
Connection to the radio – CAT Control is an advanced feature that makes Holy Cluster not just a tracking tool, but also a practical control panel for DX hunters.
Users on online forums and social networks often praise the ease of use and modern interface compared to traditional DX cluster tools.
Possible shortcomings and criticism
Not everything is perfect, however. Some users have noticed that the cluster can sometimes display repeated or incorrect spots. This is a more common problem with other DX clusters as well, not exclusively Holy Cluster. However, these issues are more related to the quality and processing of data, not with the functionalities of the tool itself..
Conclusion
Holy Cluster is a modern approach to DX cluster technology that combines an interactive map, flexible filtering, visual clarity, and advanced control features.. Pre DXerov, contesterov alebo rádioamatérov, ktorí jednoducho chcú mať lepší prehľad o dianí na pásmach, predstavuje výrazný krok vpred oPROti tradičným textovým clustrom.
It is also very pleasant to view on mobile phones, where tabs can switch between the map and the table view.
This tool is also free, open, and actively developed by the community for the community, so every radio amateur can use it without restrictions – and if they want, they can also contribute to its improvement.